Safety means for cranking internal-combustion engines.



W. S- EKLUND.

SAFETY MEANS FOR CRANKING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 050.29. 1916.

1,228,304.. Patented May 29,1917. I

WALFRID S. EKLUND, OF BONNER, LOUISIANA.

SAFETY MEANS FOR CRANKING IN TERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 191 '2'.

Application filed December 29, 1916. Serial No. 139,711.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, WALrnIn S. EKLUND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Donner, in the parish of Terrebonne and State of Louisiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Means forCranking Internal-Combustion Engines, and dohereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make andusethe same.

The invention relates to a safety cranking device for internalcombustion engines.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction ofcranking devices for internal combustion engines and to provide asimple, practical and efficient safety cranking device of strong,durable and inexpensive construction adapted to be applied to varioustypes'of engines and cars and equipped with means for automaticallydisengaging the crank from the engine crank shaft when the engine kicksor reverses.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claimshereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form,proportion, size and minor details of vconstruction, within the scope ofthe claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a safet crankingdeviceconstructed in accordance with this invention. V

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a rear .view of the external ratchet member.

Fig. 4: is a sectional view of the external ratchet member.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the internal ratchet member.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the adjustable diskor plate. 7

Fig. 8 is a sectional view thereof.

ratchet member of cylindrical form provided with four spaced points orengaging portions 1 which engage with a cross pin in an engine crankshaft (not shown). The outer ratchet member is arranged on an internalratchet member 2 having four spaced points or portions 2 which areadapted to disengage the cranking means from. the engine crank shaftshould the engine kick or reverse. The portions 2 present inclined edgesto the cross pin of the crank, which is yieldably held in engagementwith the inclined edges of the portions 2 by the points or engagingportions 1 of the external ratchet member, the edges of the points orengaging portions of the external ratchet member being curved, as shown,and adapted to release the said cross pin of the engine crank shaftunder an excess of pressure. The internal ratchet member is providedwith a reduced portion or sleeve 3 extending rearwardly from the body ofthe internal ratchet member which'is cylindrical'to conform to theconfiguration of the external ratchet member and provide a bearing forthe same.

Mounted for rotary movement or adjustment on the sleeve 3* of theinternal ratchet member is an adjusting disk or plate 3 provided with apair of forwardly projecting lugs 4 adapted to seat in spaced openings 5of an annular series of openings formed in the flange or shoulder of theexterior ratchet member. The adjustable plate is provided with openings6 which are adapted to receive one end 7 a of a spring 7 which has itsother end 8 secured inan opening 8 of the reduced portion or sleeve ofthe internal ratchet member. The tension of the spring is controlled byadjusting the rotary plate on the reduced portion or sleeve and byadvancing the disk or plate the tension of the spring is increased and abackward movement of the plate will reduce the tension so that thespring may be adjusted to suit the requirement. The tension spring 7performs three difierent functions. It maintains the external ratchetmember and the adjusting plate against the internal ratchet member, andholds the adjusting plate in looking engagement and gives the desiredtension between the external and internal ratchet members to enable thecranking device to exert the desired pressure in the ordinary crankingof the engine and to automatically release the crank when the enginekicks or reverses. The reduced cylindrical portion or sleeve of theinternal ratchet member forms a crank-receiving openmg 9 for thereception ofa crank 10 which is secured to the internalratchet member bya'pin 11. The external ratchet member is provided with forwardlyprojecting lugs 12 arranged diametrically opposite each other at anopening 14: in the external ratchet member and adapted to extend intoopenings 13 in the internal ratchet member. The openings 13, which arelocated at diametrically opposite points at opposite sides of thereduced cylindrical portion or sleeve and slightly beyond the same, areof greater width than the lugs 12 to allow for a limited relative rotarymovement of the internal and external ratchet members to permit adisengagement of the device from the crank shaft of an internalcombustion engine. The lugs 12 and the openings 13 maintain the internaland external ratchet members in proper alinement at all times. Theopenings 13 are internal ratchet. member by the hook shaped points orportions of the external ratchet member. Should the engine kick orreverse the excessive pressure exerted'on the cross pin causes theexternal ratchet member 1 to revolve and release the cross pin. Thisrotary movement is, against the action of the tension spring whichyields under the excessive pressure and permits the cross pin to becomedisengaged from the device through the action of the inclined edges ofthe points. or portions of the internal ratchet member.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety cranking device for internal combustion engines comprisingan internal ratchet member. provided withc engagin g portions to receivethe cross pin. of a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, an.

outer ratchet member provided with engagmg portions for holding thecross pm 1n engagen1ent'with the engaging portions of the internalratchet member, and a spring yield ably connecting the inner and outerratchet .ing inclined edges adapted to receive the cross pin of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, an outer substantlallycylindrical ratchet member provided with approximately hook-shapedengaging portions for holding the cross. pin in engagement with the saidinclined edges, and 'a spring yieldably connecting the inner and outerratchet members and adapted to permit the outer ratchet'member to yieldunder an excess of pressure for releasing the cross pin.

3. A safety cranking device for internal combustion engines comprisinganinternal ratchet member of substantially cylindrical form provided withengaging portions having inclined edges adapted to receive the cross pinof a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, an outersubstantially cylindrical ratchet member provided with approximatelyhook-shaped engaging portions for holding the cross pin in engagementwith the said inclined edges, a rotary adjusting plate mounted on theinner ratchet member and provided with means for adjustably engaging theouter ratchet member, and a spring connected with the inner memher andthe plate. I

4. A. safety cranking device for internal combustion engines comprisingan internal ratchet member having engaging portions, an outer ratchetmember mounted for rotary movement on the inner ratchet member andprovided with engaging portions for holding a crank shaft in engagementwith the internal ratchet member, said external ratchet member beingprovided with an annular series of openings, an adjusting plate mountedfor rotary adjustment on the internal ratchet member and provided withlugs for engaging the openings of the ex.- ternal ratchet member, and acoiled spring disposed on the internal ratchet member and having itsterminals connected with the same and with the adjusting plate.

5. A. safety cranking device for internal combustion engines includingan internal ratchet member. having engaging portions and provided with areduced cylindrical portion or sleeve having means for securing a crankto it, said internal ratchet member being provided with openings, anexternal ratchet member having engaging points and mounted for rotarymovement on the internal ratchet member and provided with lugs extendinginto the said openings and limiting such rotary movement, and a springconnected with the internal and external ratchet members.

6. A safety cranking device for internal combustion engines including aninner ratchet member having a reduced portion or sleeve and providedwith an opening, an external ratchet member mounted for rotary movementon the internal ratchet member and having a lug for engaging the saidopening and provided with spaced openings, an adjusting plate alsomounted for rotary movement on the internal ratchet member and providedwith a lug or projection for engaging the openings of the externalratchet member, and a coiled spring disposed on the internal ratchetmember and c0nnected with the same and with the adjusting plate andmaintaining the adjusting plate in interlocked relation with theexternal ratchet member and retaining the lug of the latter in theopening of the internal ratchet member, said spring also yieldablymaintaining the internal and external ratchet members in engagement withthe crank .shaft of an engine and permitting disengagement underexcessive pressure.

WALFRID S. EKLUN D. Witnesses:

W. E. PAYNE, H. ROMONE.

Uopies of this patent may be obtaiigad for five cents each, byaddressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

